[On a recent] beautiful day, I decided to give it a whirl and ride a few miles alongside the river.

From that experience I wish to apologize profusely to the families and pensioners who were also out strolling the path.

On a 10-mile ride, I was constantly passed by “teams” or individual lycra-clad cyclists who were riding along at much more than the posted 15 mph speed limit.

It was ridiculous and dangerous. I witnessed numerous close-calls as middle-aged, pot-bellied Lance Armstrong wannabes screamed passed toddlers feeding the ducks or pensioners out for a stroll by the river.

Pace-lines of cyclists whizzed by me as if I was standing still and weaved in and out of pedestrians as if on some kind of crazed cycling proficiency test.

To the “pro” cyclists that use the path:

Guys, ENOUGH! Somebody is going to get seriously hurt. I know its cool to tell everyone in the bar that you can ride at 20+mph and you really have a knack for riding but you are on a flat path with children and pensioners.

If you really want to ride fast, head into the hills and mountains and knock yourself out.

To the pedestrians that use the path:

I’ve been riding the local roads for a couple of years now and have heard negative remarks about cyclists. I always assumed people were just mad that we were tree-hugging, nature types and perhaps they were a little envious of our healthier lifestyle.

Not anymore — I agree. We are a bunch of self-centered, egotistical jerks and I apologize.

To the community:

Let’s ask that the speed limit be dropped to 10mph MAX.

I for one would not want my daughter hit by some 200-lb. buffoon riding at 15 mph who thinks he’s on the Tour De France.

Stop the insanity – more regulation on these paths!

Mr. Hughes, Woodinville

YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

Driving home from work on Tuesday I happened to notice a bumper sticker on the back of a truck ahead of me.

It said, “I jump out of planes and shoot Muslims in the face for a living.”

I hope one day the person who put that sticker there realizes that provoking hate is exactly what terrorists want to accomplish.

Congratulations, you just scored a point for the team that wants to destroy the very country that grants you the freedom to express yourself with such a horrible sticker.

You have the freedom to choose — keep spreading hate and terror with that sticker or take the courageous and patriotic choice to reject hate and voluntarily remove that sticker from your truck.

Most Muslims, just like most non-Muslims, would prefer peaceful coexistence with all people, rather than acts of war, terror, or hate.

The vast majority of religious leaders of all faiths promote love, charity, understanding, forgiveness and peace, while they condemn acts of violence.

Frustratingly, a few Muslims, and also a few non-Muslims, attack people and then claim to be doing so for religious reasons.

These few bad actors are essentially criminals (which sadly exist in every culture) who abuse religion in order to try to convince themselves and others that their acts of violence are somehow better than those of other criminals.

Please express your frustration without lashing out violently (or claiming to do so), and do not seek to escalate irrational hatreds.

Tom Moore Duvall

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ARE A HEAVY BURDEN

What a pleasure to read the Seattle Times’ March 22nd article about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that an Idaho couple have the right to sue immediately to challenge the Federal Environmental Agency (EPA) order designating their Priest Lake, Idaho, lot as a wetland and forbidding them from building a home there – with a threat of a $75,000-a-day fine for noncompliance.

The EPA argued that an immediate judicial review of that agency’s administrative actions would undermine its enforcement of the Clean Water Act and that the Idaho couple’s lot was “part of the ‘navigable waters’ of the United States.”

Supreme Court Justices, after mocking the EPA’s view that the couple’s lot was a part of the “navigable waters,” called on Congress to provide a reasonably clear rule regarding the reach of the Clean Water Act.

Amen to that.

In unincorporated King County landowners are not only burdened by wetlands requirements, but also by buffer requirements.

A 100-foot buffer around a circular-acre wetland 236-inch diameter would grow that use-restricted acre to 3.4 restricted acres.

A not-uncommon 200-foot buffer would grow that circular acre to seven restricted acres.

Environmentally influenced regulations are a heavy burden on the use of property owners of what they like to think of as their own land.

Maxine Keesling

DON’T VOTE? DON’T COMPLAIN

Recently, I had a conversation with an individual who was complaining about politicians and the state of politics in general in this great country.

I am all for it, if you vote. I have a problem when people complain about that, then inform me that they have never voted and never intend to.

I was raised with the ideal that if you have the opportunity to vote and simply choose not to utilize that, then you forfeit your right to complain.

I remain confident and quite optimistic that many people feel the same way.

Jeff Swanson, Everett

APRIL IS NATIONAL GRANGE MONTH

April is National Grange Month. In our state there are 254 grange halls in the 38 counties. There are eight granges in King County.

Grange was formed after the Civil War as farming increased and shipping of tobacco, cotton and other farm-grown products became so expensive that through the grange, the Anti-Sherman Trust Act was passed.

Grange efforts resulted in getting free mail delivered. Granges in Eastern Washington are mainly responsible for the Columbia River dams, enabling irrigation of the wheat, rye, alfalfa and fruit tree farms to be able to exist, for the good of all farmers, both animal and raising of crops.

Our local Sammamish Grange has joined with farmers in the Valley to form the Sammamish Valley Alliance to preserve what is left of farming in the valley.

Helen McMahon, Woodinville

STUDENT NEEDS MAP, SOUVENIRS OF WASHINGTON

Dear readers,

Hi! My name is William M. I am a fifth grade student at Harlan Intermediate School in Harlan, Iowa.

My class is studying the history and geography of the United States.

I chose Washington because I love trees and nature.

I would appreciate it if you sent me a souvenir and a state map — also some information if possible.

My teacher, Mrs. Newlin, would love a car license plate for a school project, but only if possible. Thank you.

Sincerely,

William M.

Mrs. Newlin’s S.S. class

Harlan Intermediate School

1401 19th St

Harlan, IA 51537

PS

Because of wonderful editors like you, 124 intermediate fifth graders are able to learn many things about your state.